Mini Lesson Reflection

"What went well in your teaching? Based on what you learned as an instructor, what changes would you make next time?"

My mini lesson went ok today. I came prepared with the detailed step by step instructions which made the lesson pretty straight-forward. I did not run into any problems with the lesson and everything went fairly smoothly because the website tool is so simple. However, its simplicity was obvious compared to other, more interactive and interesting, mini lessons. Sometimes I get nervous talking in the front of the classroom. With time and experience I do not think I will be so nervous.
Next time I do a similar activity, I will prepare a more interactive and engaging lesson. The lesson I taught today was very simple and to the point. It served a practical purpose but lacked creativity. Also, I will practice my lesson repeatedly to avoid being nervous.

WebQuest Update

"Describe where you are in the development process of your WebQuest lesson. What do you need help with?"

I still have a lot of work to do. Though I have completed many of the components of the checklist I need to focus mainly on the task and process pages. My plan of action is to finish the standards on the teacher page and the task and process pages on the student pages. I am concerned with these three pages the most because I think they are the most important. Then I will complete the rest of the student pages. After that is finished, I will complete the remaining teacher pages.
Regarding questions I may have, I know what needs to be done and do not have any. Once I have put some substantial work into the task and progress page, I may have more specific questions. Thank you.

Scaffolding

"How can scaffolding support the student learning process in your WebQuest?"

Scaffolding can help student learning in a variety of ways. Students less familiar with technology, the internet and WebQuests will benefit greatly through the use of scaffolding. When teachers properly scaffold a WebQuest there is little room for error on the part of the student. The use of links to the proper sources makes finding the correct information literally as easy as the click of a button. Also, scaffolding allows for students to work on the project alone because the teacher already provided the appropriate steps.
Scaffolding provides the framework for students to work in. Once logged into the WebQuest, the student simply needs to go through the motions and follow the well-planned steps. The instructions in my WebQuest will be clearly explained and easy to follow. Everything will be laid out for the student so that they can find the pertinent information and know what to do with that information.

Grasps

Drew Gale
Content Area: Social Studies, Writing
Topic: Global Trade
Grade Level: 9-12
Product/Performance:

1. Briefly describe the following components of your WebQuest.
2. At the end of class, copy and paste your GRASPS plan into the online journal.
3. Don’t forget to sign your name.

GRASPS
Goal
(introduction page) To analyze globalization and policies enacted by the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and World Bank
Role
(introduction page) You recently emigrated to the U.S. from Bolivia where you worked in a “free trade zone”. You have been asked to present at a forum on the impact of neoliberal globalization
Audience
(introduction page) You need to convince the attendants of the benefits or negative impact of recent trade agreements in Latin America and Asia
Situation
(introduction page)
Product or Performance
(task page) You will create a PowerPoint presentation
Standards
(standards page) 1.3.1 Analyzes the relationships and tensions between national interests and international issues in the world in the past or present.


Below are writing “stems” to help you develop each area above.

Goal: Your task is… The goal is to… The problem/challenge is…
The obstacle to overcome is…

Role: You are… You have been asked to… Your job is…

Audience: Your client is… The target audience is…You need to convince…

Situation: (As teacher, write a description of the scenario the students are working within.)

Product or Performance: You will create a … to…
You need to develop/design a … so that…

Standards for Success: Your performance needs to…
Your work will be judged by…

Beliefs

Technology aids in teaching and learning in various ways. People learn in various ways and technology can be utilized to help visual learners through the use of film, images or clips from the internet. Similarly, using an mp3 player to play a snippet of a speech or music can be very beneficial to students geared toward learning through audio. The internet offers a vast amount of information at the click of a button. The internet also enables teachers and students to communicate with each other better. In these ways technology has greatly benefitted teaching and learning.

            I have observed the benefits of technology in classrooms throughout all the years of my education. Computers made doing math more fun in middle school. In high school I became aware of the massive amount of information on the internet. Throughout college I have learned to be critical of online sources and how to identify legitimate scholarly articles, journals and books. Access to technology, specifically the internet, has facilitated research and learning in the classroom as well as outside the classroom.